plate no. 0484

Landscape, La Ciotat

Georges Valmier, 1922

oilCubismlandscapelandscapetreesskybuildingsgeometric shapeshills

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for learning about color blocking and simplifying complex scenes into basic geometric shapes. Students will practice mixing a limited palette to create a harmonious color scheme.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas, paying attention to the angles and proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background (sky and hills).
step 03
Mix the specific colors for each shape, referring to the original painting.
step 04
Carefully fill in each shape with flat, even color, avoiding visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details like the building outlines and cloud shapes.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes to create clean lines.
step 07
Check for accuracy and make any necessary adjustments.
step 08
Let dry and apply a varnish if desired.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson · raw umber

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Achieve the muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors (e.g., a touch of red to green). Mix the purples by combining red and blue.

techniques